But the British Admiral’s genius and the superiority of his commanders, officers, and men, should they come to battle, would more than match Villeneuve’s superiority in ships.  Nelson, always sure of his own powers, could also depend upon the loyalty of men of every rank under him.  He knew that the terrible spirit which shattered and scattered Spanish Philip’s armada was an inheritance that had grown deep into every fibre of the generations of seamen that followed Hawkins and Drake’s invincibles.  When Nelson delivered himself of death-or-glory heroics, he did so with the consciousness that he was the spirit that enthused masses of other spirits to carry out his dominating will.

On the 14th May, 1805, anchors were picked up and the fleet left Lagos Bay under full sail for the West Indies.  The trade-winds were soon picked up, and every stitch of canvas that would catch a breath of wind was spread.  The speed ranged from six to nine knots, according to the strength of the wind, the Admiral taking any available opportunity of conveying to the commanders the plan of attack and action should they fall in with the Frenchmen.  The task of keeping his own ships together was not easy, as some were faster than others, and many had foul bottoms.  There was much manipulation of yards and sails in order to keep the line in order, and Nelson even went out of his way to have a note of encouragement and kindness sent aboard the Superb (seventy-four guns) for Commander Keats, whose ship had been continuously in commission since 1801, and was in bad condition.  Her sailing qualities were vexatious.  Keats implored that he should not be disconnected from the main fleet now that the hoped-for battle was so near at hand, and being a great favourite of Nelson’s, he was given permission constantly to carry a press of canvas; so the gallant captain carried his studding sails while running before the trade-winds, but notwithstanding this effort, the lazy, dilapidated Superb could not keep pace with the others, even though he was granted the privilege of not stopping when the others did.  His urgency not to be dropped out on this occasion caused him the hard luck of not being at the battle of Trafalgar.

The British fleet arrived at Barbadoes after a twenty-four days’ passage from Lagos Bay.  The French took thirty-four from Cadiz to Martinique, so that Nelson had a gain of ten days on them, and although his zeal yearned for better results, he had performed a feat that was not to be despised, and of which he and his comrades in quest of battle were deservedly proud.  The French had been three weeks in the West Indies, but had done no further mischief than to take the Diamond Rock, a small British possession situated off the south end of Martinique.  The whereabouts of the elusive enemy was uncertain.  General Brereton, who commanded the troops at Santa Lucia gave information that they had passed on the 28th May, steering south.  The admirals decided